How Arts Officers help bring arts and culture to everyone in the community
Every county and city in Ireland has an Arts Officer supporting cultural life across the country. They work to ensure that festivals happen, that artists are supported, and that communities have real opportunities to take part in the arts.
It’s a role that mixes creativity with practical problem-solving, long-term planning with day-to-day support. Here we take a look at what the role involves.
What does an Arts Officer do?
Arts Officers develop and implement plans to support the arts and creativity in their areas. They link artists with schools, help community groups find the right partners, and make sure cultural organisations know what support is available. They also work with other departments in the local authority, so arts and culture are included in big decisions about local development.
There’s also a strong practical side: helping to organise events, supporting civic festivals, managing council-owned arts spaces, and being the point of contact for anyone looking to develop a cultural project in the area.
Why this work matters
Arts Officers help make sure that creativity is part of everyday life. Their work brings communities together, supports local jobs, and adds energy to towns and villages. A workshop in a school, a music event on the main street, a small exhibition in a local library — these things don’t appear out of nowhere. They happen because someone has thought about access, funding, logistics and what the community might enjoy.
Arts Officers also protect local culture while encouraging new ideas. They help keep traditions alive, support emerging artists, and make sure rural areas aren’t left out of opportunities. They help culture thrive.
A day in the life
No two days look the same. An Arts Officer might spend the morning visiting a community group who want to start a local festival, meet an artist applying for a bursary at lunchtime, and finish the day reviewing plans for workshops in schools. Another day might involve preparing a funding application, walking through a venue ahead of an event, or working with colleagues in housing, planning or community development to make sure arts are included in wider council work.
There are budgets to manage, reports to prepare and deadlines to meet. But there are also moments where they see a project come to life — a packed family event, an outdoor performance that transforms a familiar space, or an artist getting a chance they’ve waited years for.
Working with the Arts Council
Arts Officers work closely with the Arts Council, Ireland’s national agency for funding and developing the arts.
The Arts Council provides funding to local authorities for artist bursaries, festivals, workshops and cultural spaces. It also works with Arts Officers to develop national programmes and to ensure there’s consistent support for the arts across the country.
Through this partnership, local projects can connect with national priorities, and communities benefit from the strength of a coordinated approach.
Supporting arts in the community
Arts Officers are often the first port of call for anyone interested in developing an arts project. They advise artists on funding, guide organisations through grant applications, and help groups shape ideas into workable plans.
They share information about opportunities, promote local events, and connect different parts of the sector — from schools to theatres to voluntary groups. Their local knowledge is deep: if there’s a choir looking for rehearsal space, a venue developing a new project, or a community exploring a creative idea, chances are the Arts Officer already knows about it.
This work ensures the arts reach every part of the city or county, not just the biggest towns.